Post APAT2Tq00aYOJZv2nI by despens@post.lurk.org
(DIR) More posts by despens@post.lurk.org
(DIR) Post #APAO7ehMYZBrfxWmzg by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T17:22:31Z
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[help needed] I'm writing a sort of fictional guide for cultural producers who invite artists and researchers to give a talk, a lecture or a workshop. The idea is to highlight all those annoying habits which I think we should avoid when inviting someone. An example:- You won't be sneaky and insert an extra task *after* the Invited Guest has accepted the invitation. What are the habits that you think should be avoided when inviting a guest? It's not much, I know, but I'll do my best to credit all the people who will help me with this. Thank you!:boost_requested:
(DIR) Post #APAOyrOe4lQUPF8vKq by neauoire@merveilles.town
2022-11-01T17:32:08Z
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@entreprecariat Maintain a communication line with the guest, don't expect them to follow the schedule changes if they are broadcasted on social networks.
(DIR) Post #APAP8ORaZjwVVW47TU by shusha@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T17:33:52Z
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@entreprecariat avoid being vague about money, accommodation and travel fees. Also about modalities: who is in charge of booking, what need be payed upfront and is reimbursed later. State clear numbers and responsibilities.
(DIR) Post #APAPTa7qL4u5omvu7s by supermedia_art@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T17:37:46Z
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@entreprecariat having to sign any sort of contract after agreeing! Mostly happens to me after the work is done and they want me to sign a contract to be paid. (i just say no thanks pay me please)
(DIR) Post #APAPWjVJvSY5m4PuIC by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T17:38:15Z
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@shusha thank you! The fee is the first thing I'm mentioning :) This is more or less the tone: "Let's start with the basic. Obviously, you will stop the nasty habit of not mentioning the fee in the very first interaction with the Invited Guest, even – dare I say especially – when it is symbolic. You won't force them no more to embarrassingly ask at the bottom of their reply."
(DIR) Post #APAPhG3Dlx4bc1IBea by neauoire@merveilles.town
2022-11-01T17:32:31Z
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@entreprecariat it's a low bar but I've been burned by that just a few months ago.
(DIR) Post #APAPhGVE5pTV0sOYIy by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T17:40:11Z
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@neauoire I feel you :(
(DIR) Post #APAPkPCAEN5mqDyaAK by 320x200@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T17:40:46Z
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@entreprecariat @shusha this.all.the.time :1000:
(DIR) Post #APAQaJ50DHRWvtNIm0 by 320x200@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T17:50:12Z
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@entreprecariat you can't invoice, the small fee is in fact a super weird zero hour employment contract that will take a full work day to make sense of, and then fill the forms. All that for an hour lecture. Oh and if it's abroad you might be extra lucky to also end up filling income tax related paperwork.
(DIR) Post #APAQsK3tIhFvBuRgcS by shusha@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T17:53:27Z
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@entreprecariat yes, very good!Another point: dont let your guest find out about the technical affordances of the venue.
(DIR) Post #APAQwhmx1jK5w8bzyi by artistsandhackers@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T17:54:03Z
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@entreprecariat check out http://www.whopaysartists.com/
(DIR) Post #APAQz3LLrDzrMop1EG by shusha@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T17:54:34Z
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@entreprecariat yes, very good!Another point: dont let your guest find out about the technical affordances of the venue only after arriving on site.
(DIR) Post #APARVlzXON8z6jDkQK by 320x200@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T18:00:35Z
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@entreprecariat booking the travel for the guest, without asking, or ignoring their preferences. Usually results in strange surprise extra connections and impractical schedules.
(DIR) Post #APASgzg0x37Egt0GIq by despens@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T18:13:42Z
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@entreprecariat About the display device: 1. Know the pixel resolution of the display device. It is not 16:9. It is not "HD". If you don't know the projector pixel resolution, know the make and model of the projector, then it is trivial to google required info. 2. Don't use any type of wireless connection to the display device, this never works.
(DIR) Post #APAT2Tq00aYOJZv2nI by despens@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T18:17:40Z
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@entreprecariat 1. Don't ask people to use a "PowerPoint" or "Keynote" file. Even if they happen to have access to that software and the required proficiency to produce a presentation with it, you will at the very least not have the same fonts installed.2. Don't ask folks to send in their presentation a week before the event unless they are invited to a very nice dinner.
(DIR) Post #APATiuHw3XbGVpDUTQ by despens@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T18:25:17Z
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@entreprecariat Encourage folks to use their own device so everyone can see a variety of ways to work and present work. Have all possible adapters ready. Provide _unfiltered_ internet access using standard protocols. No Windows Domain Controllers, transparent proxies "checking for viruses" or other "security" features. If you cannot provide that, clearly state there will be no internet access.
(DIR) Post #APAdnqmnVITwdjeEs4 by machine_agency@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T20:18:12Z
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@entreprecariat @shusha this is the first thing that I wanted to mention. But to dog-pile in top of this, mainly relaying relevant information to your guest before they need to ask is so helpful!
(DIR) Post #APAtIJRr09hdXAprCS by yaxu@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T23:11:53Z
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@entreprecariat Trying to fill in tips others haven't mentioned1/ Don't have those lecturns that are designed for tall (i.e. male) people2/ Don't assume your guest has 'eduroam' academic internet access3/ Advertise the talk widely to get a good audience, don't push marketing tasks onto your guest4/ Don't let some guests steal time from other guests by overrunning5/ Relatedly, make sure your guest knows how long to speak for, tell them the length of talk, time allotted for questions, and time required for any changeover6/ Don't expect them to fly when their is a land transport option, just because you can save a small amount of money on the flight option7/ If they are traveling long distance, support them in finding other gigs to do. This includes in the same city to a different group of people - don't ask for an exclusive8/ Ask them for technical requirements and make sure they're passed on to the right person, letting them know of any shortfall in what you can provide9/ Let them present remotely if they prefer / or need to
(DIR) Post #APAvQ0XVO6iv79HA5w by rose_alibi@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T23:35:31Z
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@entreprecariat - if you plan on introducing a guest, make sure you a) know how to pronounce their name and b) have their job title correct- if at all possible pay people in a way that doesn't involve signing up for yet another pay system that takes more effort than it's worth
(DIR) Post #APBXlv2EKXcufhWROq by anu1905@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T06:45:25Z
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@entreprecariat It was nice meeting you briefly in Malmö :) One thing important to me is name pronunciation. Ask the guest in advance for pronunciation guidance instead of assuming and saying it badly to a large audience during the event. In a long line-up of talks, people with non-western names have it harder to make themselves memorable.
(DIR) Post #APBfNyiLnYG4lZJppY by rose_alibi@post.lurk.org
2022-11-01T23:32:12Z
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@yaxu @entreprecariat absolutely second points #3 & 4. the number of times I've been expected to advertise my own talks and then the person speaking before me talks so long the audience falls asleep... or leaves...
(DIR) Post #APBfNzAM7QeyAQQCTw by yaxu@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T08:04:56Z
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@rose_alibi @entreprecariat The worst is when the speaker jokes about how long they are overrunning while doing it. They know they are taking the time of others and don't care. There's usually a power dynamic involved and it drives me mad.
(DIR) Post #APBfNzXOjl5jJtCbOi by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T08:10:43Z
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@yaxu @rose_alibi lately I began doing this thing: I don't expect anymore to reach the end of my presentation. When the time is over, I stop talking, wherever I am in my slides, and then I say "the rest we can touch upon in the discussion". It's a relief.
(DIR) Post #APBiQP9ukTXxDy3nf6 by nescivi@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T08:44:45Z
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@entreprecariat ask the invited guest what fee they would like for the talk, and make sure that the fee you budget in advance for it is high enough to also pay for enough preparation time.
(DIR) Post #APBieya1qlyz8SDuEa by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T08:47:26Z
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@shusha yep! Below @despens went all in with the tech specs :)
(DIR) Post #APBiqmjDjyHDqw9aBk by rose_alibi@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T08:49:34Z
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@entreprecariat @yaxu oh that's a nice approach! i usually just aim for something that's about 2 minutes short of my allotted time
(DIR) Post #APBj3oVgQZY18w2BGa by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T08:51:53Z
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@nescivi this would be a dream
(DIR) Post #APBjLJEVSBUnLrLHd2 by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T08:54:59Z
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@shusha re. booking, one thing that always happens to me is that I have to put money upfront to buy train tickets and the likes. And I always wonder, what happens if I get sick that day and I miss the train? Will they reimburse me for that.
(DIR) Post #APBjkT4W0gQd6cfKdc by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T08:58:55Z
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@320x200 @supermedia_art THIS. You can't imagine how many double taxation forms I had not only to fill but also to find. The general rule I think should be something like: protect your guest from paperwork. If you can't, be at least clear about what is to be done.
(DIR) Post #APBjp47YClCNAZHHRA by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T09:00:22Z
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@320x200 I once got a flight booked at 6AM
(DIR) Post #APBjzrZLDDw7QUQQ8O by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T09:02:23Z
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@despens so true about the fonts. As for the asking in advance I have written this:"You won't ask slides too much in advance, knowing too well that the Invited Guest will probably work on them the night before the Event."
(DIR) Post #APBkQubS2X4IefJHkW by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T09:07:15Z
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@rose_alibi @yaxu it's the only approach that allows me not to give the same rehearsed talk over and over. Like this I can include thoughts, unfinished work, detours. Basically, I can risk it a bit.
(DIR) Post #APBkTJ6PvFmFDYw6Yy by l03s@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T09:07:45Z
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@entreprecariat it's perhaps not entirely on topic because it is not about personal invitations but academic events that want to involve artists, hackers, writers, ... Often are not taking into account that those artists, hackers and writers are not backed by an institution that will cover their travel, stay and sometimes quite substantial registration fees.
(DIR) Post #APBkhFWW1g1kAhn9CC by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T09:10:14Z
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@anu1905 nice meeting you too! Yes, and not only the name pronunciation but also the spelling. My surname gets misspelled ALL THE TIME :)
(DIR) Post #APBlCvuWTuCmbu83Hs by 320x200@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T09:16:00Z
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@entreprecariat Surprise, a recording of your talk ends up online. You were not asked for consent and you have no time, or easy non-anxiety inducing way to tell your dear host to take it off, at the cost of burning bridges, or playing applied game theory with other guests in the same conundrum. Bonus point when you were actually told that the recordings are just for the org's own archives. They just forgot to mention they use YouTube...
(DIR) Post #APBlFU3AWT0B4TOBhQ by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T09:16:22Z
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Oh god, I'm positively overwhelmed by the responses. Thanks everyone! I'm not sure I'll be able to fit it all in in the thing I'm writing at it is experimental (it needs to be written as a fictional memo) and it has to be max 5 pages. But I will mention the very thread in it (it fits the memo idea!) and maybe suggest some fictional attachment such as "refer to the technical best practices memo" (@despens).In any case, a lot of cultural producers are on Lurk and on Mastodon in general so they can already benefit from these tips by reading the thread! :telecommuter:
(DIR) Post #APBlTIScPPynBHsbD6 by 320x200@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T09:18:57Z
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@entreprecariat after of before the talk/workshop you are kindly nudged-asked to do a surprise hour long interview.
(DIR) Post #APBlY5G8uzTLgbKKUy by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T09:19:43Z
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@320x200 yup, this goes into the extra task one
(DIR) Post #APBpYWvsQi35KUJeWO by eel@merveilles.town
2022-11-02T10:04:34Z
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@entreprecariat make it known to literally anyone else on the team that you invited them, so when something prevents you from being at the event on short notice they still get welcomed, and don't have to find out at closing time that they don't have a timeslot on stage
(DIR) Post #APBpZZp3AeD4a8ccPA by shusha@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T10:04:49Z
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@entreprecariat this is true. I always assume good faith which would include refunding also when sick. But I think this should be clarified in advance too.
(DIR) Post #APBti7VsC1w9Clytou by despens@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T10:51:02Z
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@entreprecariat Yes an why are doing it last minute? To take into account the latest developments and the very context of their invitation. Last minute presentations are good.
(DIR) Post #APBtpkmCbx2z0OG7RQ by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T10:52:32Z
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@despens So true!
(DIR) Post #APBtrOBBb62nV7izuC by despens@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T10:52:57Z
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@entreprecariat Yes an why are they doing it last minute? To take into account the latest developments and the very context of their invitation. Last minute presentations are good.
(DIR) Post #APBv5uGBDeqB0OXyK0 by rra@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T11:06:47Z
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@entreprecariat "Here is an interesting #CFP! We only need a 8000 word proposal, a detailed plan, plus two bulls sacrificed at the altar of Moloch by *tomorrow*!After several months of leaving you in the dark, we will reject you with a generic 'Sorry you didn't get it and we can't comment on why!'"
(DIR) Post #APBxAO6MPWFAclDbyS by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T11:29:54Z
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a thing I've written that wasn't mentioned:- You won't keep the format of the Event 'open' and pretend that's a way to involve the Invited Guest, when in fact you're simply outsourcing your curatorial work. Instead, you will come up with a clear structure first and ask the Invited Guests if they're happy with it.
(DIR) Post #APC9dBXdO27tW9TQye by anu1905@post.lurk.org
2022-11-02T13:49:39Z
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@entreprecariat oh yes! That too! Sorry to hear. I’ve also had peeps take the liberty to shorten my name in official documents because they can’t bother learning to spell 🤦🏽♀️
(DIR) Post #APE0xYWz6xNLL3jE7k by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-03T11:21:51Z
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@anu1905 :drake_dislike:
(DIR) Post #APG04UhU2Zt9qaIswi by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-04T10:21:21Z
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@anu1905 really having fun writing this. Thanks for the tip :) "When it comes to the pronunciation and spelling of the Guest's name, you won't improvise. We're not at Starbucks."
(DIR) Post #APG3u7NiHhAIRhMd5E by anu1905@post.lurk.org
2022-11-04T11:04:18Z
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@entreprecariat haha love the sass!
(DIR) Post #APZQYb3dgP9s2iXPfs by despens@post.lurk.org
2022-11-13T13:57:50Z
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@entreprecariat Quick update: I did both of these, sent a PowerPoint a few days before the conference, for the recent "Sustaining Art" in Dundee. I thought it would be courteous to follow the request this time, because the organizers were planning for in-person, remote, and pre-recorded talks + online and offline audience interaction and obviously had so many moving parts that having the presentations prepared beforehand would ease their work a bit. During the presentation, everything went wrong: on the multi-screen setup, PowerPoint was displaying some things here and some things there, the fonts and item positions were wrong, and it wasn't possible to switch to full screen. It turned out to be great, because my talk was about software, how it is trying to become transparent and escapes conceptualization through metaphorical & deceptive design. I'm sorry for the organizers having to sort out all the issues in real-time, but it underscored my message. Perhaps in the future, I will send intentionally corrupted PPTXs. Anyway, in the end it was found that these problems appeared because nobody was logged into PowerPoint with a Microsoft account, which of course PowerPoint didn't tell. Why people use it is beyond me. I cobbled my pres together with LibreOffice, which also sucks, but at least doesn't require some login.
(DIR) Post #APZQYes5VIILs3AFE0 by entreprecariat@post.lurk.org
2022-11-13T14:14:51Z
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@despens my theory on why ppl use PowerPoint: language. The fact that is synonymous with slide deck or presentation.